Chain time.

[nigel s]

Maybe the chain had been cleaned with a solvent that swelled the o rings, WD40 is known to swell some plastic rubbers with overuse  for example
Time for a Scottoiler for the new set?

[Upt North]

I really dislike auto lubers, but we'll get this one changed out first.
Then see what transpires.
There will be little riding until next year anyway.
I am no winter riding hero, those days are way behind me.
Upt.

[Upt North]

Anyone use XCP Proffessional lube and cleaner?
It gets good reviews.
I've been a Motul man until now.
Upt.

[nigel s]

Some don't 
Me ... well you know my cleaning ( or lack of ) regime..the more oil over the bike the better 

Ho Hum

[Joe Rocket]

Reply to Upt North 'a potato clock' this morning; 

I posted earlier that my OEM chain and sprockets are now at 28k miles, still usable but beginnning to wear out; maybe another 5k before being too noisy or simply time to change. Not sure about age either because mine is now approaching 10 years (next month). Most of my riding is in warm or hot conditions, often over 30°c for 3-4 days away two up and loaded often. I rarely ride in the wet for long periods but can only think that's a help to lubricate but a wet chain is obviously no substitute for regular lubing.

So perhaps it's been put to hard work in it's earlier days and without sufficient care, a more likely scenario imo. I do believe though that once deterioration sets in the chain will degrade quicker. Your's hit exponential speed it appears! 

I use a chain cleaner from a cannister and lube simply with chain-saw oil brushed on.

[MilozFolly]

Forgive the ignorance it's just not somehing I've ever considered and I think mine is a bit knackered so may be a winter project - I've never changed/ordered chain or sprockets.  If I want to have a lower revve'd motorway cruise am I better to change the front or rear sprocket?  I assume more teeth on the front and less on the back right?

[Upt North]

An extra tooth on the front will lower your highway revs by about 400 rpm I think at speed limit mph.
If you do lots of town work it'll be harder on the clutch.
Upt.

[nigel s]

https://www.gearingcommander.com/

A useful site, bit clunky but does the job.

[Upt North]

Thanks Nigel.

[Joe Rocket]

I did think there is one big difference between say here in France and the UK and that being precautionary salt on roads in Winter. Away from mountainous (Pyrenees, Alps, Massif Centrale and Vosges/Alsace) areas It isn't done here until the snow falls and usually then only onmajor routes. Most country roads get nothing at all. It is not spread simply because of theatening frosts or continual cold spells. Good old corrosive salt, eh?

[Rixington43]

Yes, salt will destroy a chain, amongst other things, in very short order.
I rode my bike to it's M.O.T in March the other year through part melted snow, I then promptly went skiing for 10 days and, when I got home, my chain was essentially a solid white bar. It took me an hour with pliers and anti-seize to get all the links loose again and, after that the chain seemed to stretch with every ride, likely beause the O-Rings had been eaten and all the lube lost. As someone who runs winter tyres on the car, I loathe salted roads but I dread to think how useless we'd be at winter without them

[Joe Rocket]

Just going off topic a bit, it is extremely frustrating that when snow does fall circulation is totally halted here. It only takes a relatively light snowfall but as I said salt is not spread soon enough. Lorries are immediately told to park up, usually in and around towns immediately narrowing roads to half their width. That makes it difficult for ordinary traffic to circulate and worse grit and salt lorries to get out. Affected motorways almost always close with abandoned vehicles strewn across the carriageway and nearby villagehalls are turned into makeshift shelters for the night. The recovery from that then becomes a tedious and drawn out affair.

Luckily it dpesn't happen very often  but the attitude is it's always the fault of the weather, how dare it surprise innocent travellers!

Sorry, rant over. BOT

[Upt North]

Ooooo that's better.
The 16 front is how it should have been from the factory IMO.
Much nicer and calmer at UK motorway speeds.
Also no noticeable difference around town.
Thanks again.
Upt.

[MilozFolly]

Forget that, look how shiny it is!!!!